Sochi 2014 proposed ticketing programme suspended after London 2012 allegations

By Duncan Mackay

June 20 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended the proposed ticketing programme for Sochi 2014 after claims of malpractice in the London 2012 process, it was announced today.

The IOC opened an ethics investigation last week after Britain's Sunday Times newspaper reported that 27 officials and ticket sellers representing 54 countries were willing to offer London tickets on the black market for sale at inflated prices.

They have now asked Sochi to halt launching their programme until the investigation is completed.

"Following the recent Sunday Times allegations that some National Olympic Committees and Authorised Ticket Resellers were in breach of 2012 Games ticketing policy, the IOC has convened its Ethics Commission to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the story," an IOC spokesman said.

"During this process we have asked the Sochi Organising Committee to temporarily delay the planning for its international ticketing programme while we review the situation.

"The move is purely precautionary.

"Sochi 2014 is not affected by the allegations and we continue to work closely with them, as they develop their ticketing programme for the Olympic Winter Games."


Sochi organisers responded by saying that they were happy to wait until they received further guidance from the IOC.

"We will announce all the procedures in due time and with the approval from the IOC," they said in a statement.

"It goes without saying that we will continue to work closely with the IOC on the development of our ticketing programme"

John Coates, the President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), who is a member of the IOC's ruling Executive Committee and took part in the emergency meeting held via teleconference last Saturday (June 16) shortly before the allegations were published, claimed that measures need to be put in place to ensure the ticketing process for future Games was above suspicion.

"We've certainly got to look at what other measures we can take to ensure we retain the integrity of the process," he said.

"It seems to me it wouldn't be too difficult, the big National Olympic Committees wouldn't be the problem, to have some sort of audit requirement built into your agency agreement.

"You will be required to subject your records to an audit by one of the big four auditors to make sure the tickets have been sold on your territory." 

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